HCC Diversity & Inclusion Newsletter Summer 2013

1. Diversity & Inclusion Council
Creating an environment where differences, abilities,
and beliefs are respected
Quarterly Newsletter
Diversity & Inclusion Council
Committee Members
Linda Comte
Chair
Northeast
John Reno
Member
Southeast
Joanne Hsu
Member
Northwest
System
Shantay Grays
Ad Hoc Member
District
David Cross
Ad Hoc Member
District
Member
Coleman
Annette Lott
Member
Central
Member
District
Paul Garcia
Member
Southwest
HCC defines Diversity & Inclusion
The D&I Council defines Diversity at HCC as “A mosaic of people with
differences, abilities and beliefs seeking understanding, acceptance and
opportunities in the HCC Community.
”
The D&I Council defines Inclusion at HCC as, “Respecting differences, abilities
and beliefs, encouraging participation and contributions from all members;
working together to make HCC relevant and essential within the Houston
community and beyond.
”
Diversity in action
From concept to practice: Benchmarking steps of progress
Brian Waddle
Laurel
Barker-Edwards
Volume 1, Issue 1 | Summer 2013
For more information,
contact:
Cephas Archie,
Program Coordinator
D& I Council, at
cephas.archie@
hccs.edu
In an effort to support the goals identified in HCC’s Strategic Plan, the Office of
Institutional Equity (OIE) and the Council for Diversity & Inclusion (D&I), will be
producing quarterly newsletters to better communicate all new developments
on the Council’s upcoming events/activities and progress. Highlighting initiatives
implemented throughout all HCC campuses, the newsletter is one of many new
and upcoming publications that will bridge and communicate the diversity efforts
of the Diversity and Inclusion Council, the colleges, and HCC community at large.
Remaining committed to our purpose, here is a timeline outlining a few critical
benchmarks we have accomplished thus far (see timeline below). We hope you
join us as we work to define and implement a culture of change and inclusivity
within our community, both on and off campus.
2013
Diversity & Inclusion Timeline
2011
2010
2009
Diversity task force/
Diversity & Inclusion
Council Charter
established
College definitions
of Diversity &
Inclusion drafted.
Diversity & Inclusion
Assessment Plan
Developed
Established nine (9)
employee
engagement
diversity groups.
Piloted “SAFE
ZONE” Initiative/
Cultural Competency
Training at
Central College
2012
Diversity &
Inclusion Council
puts forth five (5)
Goals for the
District. Proposal for
institution-wide
“Diversity
Champions
Initiative.
”
Introduced Diversity
& Inclusion
Scorecard
(Assessment)
Identify college and
district objectives to
support D&I Goals.
Present campus
plans, support and
monitor D&I
activities. Implement
“Campus Diversity
Forums” on multiple
HCC campus sites.
Communications
Campaign of D&I
Council updates—
Newsletters, webpage, Facebook,
Twitter, etc.

2. Council goals defined
In a collaborative effort to support inclusion across all HCC Colleges, the Diversity and
Inclusion Council has outlined the District D&I Goals for interpretation and
implementation by campus constituents and local diversity committee members. With
the support of the Chancellor’s Operations Team, the following identified goals were
presented to the Board of Trustees on February 28:
" Great things are not
done by impulse, but by
a series of small things
brought together."
– Vincent van Gogh
1. HCC will promote the exploration and understanding of culture, diversity and
inclusion by providing in-depth training and experiences that promote skills development resulting in cultural competency.
2. HCC will support a process for the development of Diversity Resource Groups (DRGs) that engage all stakeholders and
affirm the goals of the HCC D&I District Plan.
3. HCC will be a champion of accessibility by establishing standards that adhere to both the spirit and letter of the ADA.
4. HCC will promote a learning culture that insures teamwork, communication,
appreciation and accountability.
5. HCC will have a diverse, skilled workforce that strives to reflect the diversity of the community that it serves, and it will
provide opportunity and pathways for all employees to grow and advance in their professions.
A deadline date of June 1, 2013 has been established for the college and district to identify objectives that support the D&I Goals.
Get involved, today.
Announcing upcoming Campus
Diversity Forums
Beginning this fall, campus Diversity Forums will be held at each of the six (6) HCC
colleges and district. The purpose of the forums will be to update students, faculty,
staff and administrators of the progress made by the D&I Council – conveying goals
and significant milestones, in addition to obtaining input for recommendations for
implementation of established goals within the campus.
We encourage all campus leaders and constituents to attend as each forum is
designed to actively engage attendees in a respectful cultural dialogue, benefitting all
college community stakeholders. Look for forum publication advertisements this fall
for campus locations, dates and times.
UPCOMING DIVERSITY
EVENT
The Diversity and Inclusion
Council convenes quarterly
(four (4) times a year), unless
council members request
additional meetings.
Thank you for your support
The committee members of the Diversity & Inclusion Council would like to thank the
entire HCC Community for their unwavering commitment to the mission and purpose
of what we as a committee strive to achieve. Without you volunteering your time and
dedication, our work could not be as impactful as it has been thus far.
HCC is committed
to a workplace and
educational environment
free of discrimination and
We look forward to doing much more to usher in a continuous culture of opportunity,
harassment based upon
education and advancement for all walks of life. Again, from all of us, we say thank you.
race, color, religion, age,
sex, gender expression,
Comments? Feedback? Questions?
gender identity, national
Join the discussion through Houston Community College social media.
origin, disability, veteran
status, or sexual
orientation.
Diversity & Inclusion Council
•
www.hccs.edu
•
Summer 2013